Sri Lanka seeks US maritime cooperation as the government strengthens engagement with American maritime regulators to enhance ocean shipping oversight and reinforce the country’s strategic role in regional trade. The latest discussions also included an invitation for senior US officials to visit Colombo and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Sri Lanka seeks US maritime cooperation with invitation for FMC chair to visit Colombo
A high-level Sri Lankan delegation met with officials from the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington, DC, during a visit to the United States in June. The discussions focused on maritime regulation, supply chain resilience, and ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the shipping sector.
The delegation held talks with FMC Chair Laura DiBella and the commission’s legal team in a meeting arranged through Dustin Bickel, the Indo-Pacific Coordinator at the US Embassy in Colombo. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the US Forum on Indian Ocean Ports and Supply Chains, an event aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and trade cooperation.
Representing Sri Lanka were Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Presidential Special Envoy Hanif Yusoof, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake, Shippers Academy CEO Rohan Masakorala, Aritha Wickramasinghe, and Shiran Dissanayake.
During the meeting, US officials briefed the Sri Lankan delegation on the Federal Maritime Commission’s role in regulating international ocean transport, promoting fair competition, and ensuring the reliability of global supply chains. The exchange provided Sri Lankan officials with valuable insights into the regulatory frameworks that support efficient maritime trade and shipping services in the United States.
As part of the discussions, Sri Lanka seeks US maritime cooperation by encouraging closer institutional engagement between the two countries. The delegation formally invited FMC Chair Laura DiBella to visit Sri Lanka to experience first-hand the country’s growing importance as an Indian Ocean logistics hub and to explore opportunities for future collaboration.
According to an official statement, the invitation aims to showcase Sri Lanka’s strategic maritime location and the capabilities of the Port of Colombo, one of South Asia’s busiest transshipment ports. Colombo continues to play a significant role in regional shipping, connecting major East-West trade routes and serving as a gateway for cargo moving across the Indian Ocean.
The visit to Washington formed part of a broader US State Department-funded initiative designed to strengthen commercial and trade partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. The programme provides opportunities for government officials and industry representatives to exchange expertise on port management, shipping regulation, and supply chain resilience.
Beyond meetings with regulators, the Sri Lankan delegation also toured the Port of Baltimore, where they observed advanced port operations, automated cargo handling systems, and digital logistics technologies. Officials examined how automation and digital platforms improve efficiency, cargo tracking, and operational performance in one of the United States’ major maritime gateways.
The knowledge gained during the visit is expected to support ongoing modernization efforts at the Port of Colombo, where authorities continue to invest in improving infrastructure, technology, and operational efficiency. Adopting international best practices remains a priority as Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its competitiveness within the rapidly evolving global shipping industry.
Industry observers note that stronger engagement with international maritime regulators and leading ports could help improve regulatory capacity, operational standards, and investor confidence in Sri Lanka’s maritime sector. Enhanced cooperation also aligns with the country’s broader strategy of positioning itself as a preferred logistics and transshipment centre for the Indian Ocean region.
The latest engagement underscores how Sri Lanka seeks US maritime cooperation not only to deepen bilateral relations but also to accelerate the modernization of its maritime industry. With continued investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and international partnerships, Sri Lanka aims to further strengthen its position as a leading Indian Ocean logistics hub while expanding the global profile of the Port of Colombo.